Former Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott enjoyed a relatively successful stint with the Northern Districts in New Zealand’s Super Smash recently.

Abbott generated the fifth-best economy rate among bowlers who played six or more matches in the country’s premier Twenty20 competition.

He also took two key wickets in Sunday’s final against the Central Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton, where the Northern Districts were defeated by 37 runs, regardless.

‘A lot of people ask me about being the death bowler, and I look back at playing 130-odd T20s. Pressure is something you get used to,’ Abbott was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

‘What I’ve figured out over the last year or so, everyone is pretty good at hitting straight down the ground now, so anything full at the stumps is in the wheelhouse, as we call it. Taking all the power away is what I’m trying to achieve. It’s a wide yorker or a slower ball.’

The 31-year-old Abbott, who played the last of 11 Tests, 28 ODIs and 21 T20Is in January 2017, has since forged a successful career with Hampshire in English county competition. He has also relished the opportunity to work with several key players at various Twenty20 franchises, including the Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab and Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League.

‘I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with Alfonso Thomas at the Khulna Titans, Kyle Mills at the Lahore Qalandars] and Albie Morkel wit the Durban Heat. You pick up things from different people around you and figure out what works for you,’ he added.

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